Trump Meets with Crypto Executives as Bitcoin Surges
Bitcoin is currently up 5.5% as of 3:07 p.m. ET on Aug. 19, 2026, following a meeting at the White House between President Donald Trump and crypto-industry executives.
The group includes executives from Coinbase Global, Payward, and Blockchain.com, who are meeting with key regulators and White House staff, including SEC Chair Paul Atkins and CFTC Chair Mike Selig.
While Congress has stalled the Clarity Act, which would provide a legal framework for the crypto market, the executive branch can still act without congressional approval. The SEC has proposed a rule change favorable to the industry, and the CFTC is set to meet tomorrow.